Happy New Year. Happy renewal of purpose. Happy fresh start.

Happy emboldened constitution.

Happy re-engagement—engagement to intentionally do and be better…to make a difference.

Happy new goals. Happy new intentions of change. Happy new accomplishment of objectives. Happy new taking aim at betterment targets. Happy new forging of growth plans. Happy new success visions.

Now, deep breath.

Just a few days of reflection, out of the shine of the ball dropping—how do we assure we move forward and prevail?

First things first.

•Re-check and re-load making sure you made S.M.A.R.T. Goals.

•Just Start!

S.M.A.R.T. Goals?

—Experts who have studied outcome factors say efforts to change are more likely to produce results if they are SMART—

Specific—Measurable—Achievable—Realistic—Time-based.

Do your New Year’s Day goals and resolutions pass the Smart test?

Specific – A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. To set a specific goal you must answer the six “W” questions:

Who:      Who is involved?
What:      What do I want to accomplish?
Where:      Identify a location.
When:      Establish a time frame.
Which:      Identify requirements and constraints.
Why:      Specific reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the goal.

EXAMPLE:    A general goal would be, “Get in shape.” But a specific goal would say, “Join a health club and workout 3 days a week.”

Measurable – Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress.

Find a way to measure progress, like a log or calendar. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement.  Measure How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?

Achievable– If you can’t safely or reasonably accomplish your goal, set a smaller, achievable one.

When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You develop the attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. You begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achievement of your goals.

Realistic –Try to choose the goal where you have the confidence for success. Focus on sure bets.

To be realistic your a goal must be something you are both willing and able to do. Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished.

Timely – A goal should be grounded within a time frame.

With no time frame tied to it there’s no sense of urgency. Pick a date and time to start. Pick regular check-in dates

Other Goal Success Tips:

• Put your goals where you can see them. Consider hanging them on your bathroom mirror or on a note card that you carry with you and refer to regularly.

• Share your goals with trusted friends and family or an accountability partner. Never let someone else dash your dreams by telling you they can’t be accomplished.

• Enjoy and celebrate each and every accomplishment of a goal, no matter how small.

Just Start!

Starting means initiate action. As long as something is moving, that’s a start. Push through. Embrace Resistance.

According to author, Krista Scott-Dixon—

“ Human beings are always waiting for the perfect time.

But why?

For many, it’s a great distraction and justification. It helps us avoid the real — and risky – work of doing.

For others, perfectionism and avoidance serve as strong armor against potential embarrassment, criticism, and failure.

“I could ___ but ___” keeps us safe from pain.

Unfortunately, it’s also what keeps us from growing, thriving, being who we know we have the potential to be. if you’re constantly saddled with “waiting for the perfect time”, these tips might help:

•Revise your expectations. Recognize that there is no perfect time and there never will be.

•Carve out time, even if it’s imperfect. Nobody will give that time to you. You’ll need to take it.

•Just start. Find the smallest possible thing you can do right now, in the next 5 minutes, and do it. Now you’ve started!

•Do something, anything. Action is a “vote” in favor of a different, healthier, fitter life. Vote early, vote often.

•You only have to get through this moment. This moment of starting will be the hardest. Luckily, it won’t last long.

•Expect resistance. It’s normal. Push through it. Resistance doesn’t mean this won’t work. It just means you’ve started.

•Get support. Whether it’s a friend or family member, workout buddy, or a coach, find someone to fire up your booster rockets until you can fly on your own.” 

“There is actually always a perfect moment.

That perfect moment is now.

Here. Today.

The living, breathing sliver of time that you have in this precise second.

Because that is all you ever have: right now.”

Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon